Event Design Collective PODcasts

Hear the backstage episode with Shashank Gaur, PhD ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashankgaur/) Global Team Lead and expert for communication and scheduling for Distributed Systems at TTTech Auto in Vienna Austria and Chair of the Conference Publications Committee at IEEE, the world's largest membership based organisation for Engineers. In this Episode he speaks with Ruud Janssen of the Event Design Collective about his experiences of being a volunteer leader for #IEEE and having been involved in the Event Design Certificate Program and facilitating the largest ever event design sprint together with 15 other Event Design facilitators at IEEE Convene with over 250 participants recently in Hawai'i to design the IEEE Tech Summit CleanTech 2025.

Meet Tim Willard, CED is the founding partner at navigate in Cape Town South Africa, www.linkedin.com/in/linkedintimwillard/ as he speaks with Ruud Janssen of the Event Design Collective about his Horizons of Change and Claiming Time for change conversations. In the podcast episode we address several of Tim's activities and below you will find a listing of the links they relate to: MURAL Partner Jam 29 October 2020 feat. navigate and EDC (how Ruud met Tim!) https://youtu.be/udStl-D5iBI -About navigate... www.navigate.co.za -About Tim www.timwillard.co.za -About scenario learning ... and creative mornings.. www.navigate.co.za/navigatescenarios About the Global Organisation Development Competency Framework https://www.odnetwork.org/page/global-framework About the Global Organisation Development Network https://www.odnetwork.org/ Meeting summary with AI Companion now supports additional languages in preview. Learn More Meeting summary for Ruud Janssen's Personal Meeting Room (28/08/2024) Quick recap Ruud and Tim Willard, an organisational development practitioner and change designer had a follow-up conversation on the Design to Change podcast, reflecting on changes since their last meeting and discussing various aspects of their work. They explored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on work environments, the challenges of adapting to hybrid work models, and the evolving nature of organisational development and event design. The conversation also touched on the importance of values, efficient design, and future scenarios in their respective fields. Summary Design to Change: Progress and Reflections Ruud and Tim Willard, an organisational development practitioner and change designer had a follow-up conversation on the Design to Change podcast. They discussed the progress of their previous conversation, which took place a year ago, and reflected on the changes that have occurred since then. Tim shared his involvement in the Global Organization development network They discussed the evolution of Tim's work over the last 12 months, with a focus on Organisational Development (OD)and problem-solving. The conversation ended with an open question about the impact of change and transformation. Covid-19's Impact on Work and Personal Lives Tim and Ruud discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns on the way people work, noting that the pandemic forced a rapid shift to digital work. They agreed that this change was significant and not initially anticipated. They also reflected on how the pandemic affected their work and personal lives, particularly in South Africa, which had stringent lockdown measures. Finally, they considered potential scenarios up to 2030 and how they might affect their work and lives. Discussing Work Evolution, AI, and Remote Work Tim and Ruud discussed the evolving nature of their work, particularly the impact of AI on scenario planning. They reminisced about past work, including a project on future internet scenarios, and considered its relevance in today's context. Tim shared his current focus on building capability areas in the practice of navigator and his shift towards culture management, emphasizing the importance of values in driving culture. Keen to find out more about #DESIGNtoCHANGE? designtochange.online

Sharon Lam https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonlam-msslam/ of Marina Bay Sands in conversation with Ruud Janssen live from Sydney the day ahead of the introduction of the Event Design Certificate Program to Australia on 20 August 2024 aboard "The Jackson" in Sydney Harbour.

Sharon Lam https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonlam-msslam/ of Marina Bay Sands in conversation with Ruud Janssen live from Sydney the day ahead of the introduction of the Event Design Certificate Program to Australia on 20 August 2024 aboard "The Jackson" in Sydney Harbour.

Quick recap Ruud and Fred discussed the importance of conversation and serendipity in driving change, at "IEEE Convene" and the upcoming conference focused on climate change and sustainability in 2025 for IEEE. They also explored the complexities of event design, the intersection between art and design, and the recent ideas generated from their "idea quarantine" session. Lastly, they discussed the structure of their respective organizations, the challenges of event planning, and the concept of event failure. Organization Structuring and Future Reflections Fred and Ruud discussed the structure and challenges of their respective organizations. Fred explained the unique situation at IEEE, where the CEO and board members are volunteers with limited terms, making it difficult to enact major long-term changes. Ruud, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of design and speed in their small but impactful organization. They agreed to reconnect in a year to review their progress and reflect on their horizons of change, with Ruud suggesting the invitation of some guests for a second year to share their reflections. Event Designers and Planners' Time Concerns Ruud and Fred discussed the importance of event designers and planners having sufficient time to explore options and claim space for their work. They highlighted the challenge of event owners often not allowing enough time for exploration and problem-solving. Fred suggested that event owners should be more involved if they want the event to reflect their vision. Ruud agreed, noting that many event planning teams are often too willing to take on all tasks, even if it means not having enough time to explore options. Event Failure, Measurement, and Collaboration Ruud and Fred discussed the concept of event failure and its measurement, emphasizing the importance of attendees perceiving their time was well spent. They highlighted the need for clear communication of entry and exit behaviors to ensure success and the collective responsibility of stakeholders to avoid events that do not offer any benefit. They also discussed the development of the clean tech conference and a new series, with Ruud expressing appreciation for Fred's time and looking forward to future collaborations. They encouraged listeners to subscribe and share their conversations online using specific hashtags and to visit the website 'designtochange' for more thought-provoking content.

Fred Schindler of IEEE & Ruud Janssen of Event Design Collective ONStage #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast recording Quick recap Ruud and Fred discussed the importance of conversation and serendipity in driving change, at "IEEE Convene" and the upcoming conference focused on climate change and sustainability in 2025 for IEEE. They also explored the complexities of event design, the intersection between art and design, and the recent ideas generated from their "idea quarantine" session. Lastly, they discussed the structure of their respective organizations, the challenges of event planning, and the concept of event failure. Summary Discussing Change, Conversation, and Serendipity Ruud and Fred discussed the importance of conversation in driving change, with Ruud introducing Fred as a specialist in engineering management and RF/microwave design. Fred elaborated on his role at IEEE, a global professional technical organization with over 400,000 members, and its history dating back to the 19th century. Ruud then asked Fred about the potential for serendipity to lead to significant changes, to which Fred responded positively, highlighting the value of unexpected discoveries. Ruud suggested that their recent conversation was an example of orchestrated serendipity. Planning IEEE Convene Conference Fred and Ruud discuss the upcoming "IEEE Convene" conference focused on designing a new event related to climate change and sustainability. The goal is to provide a platform for people to share ideas and advance technology for environmental benefit, aligning with IEEE's mission. Ruud explains the large scale of previous conferences like the International Microwave Symposium with 10,000 attendees. Fred notes IEEE supports both scholarly events driven by research communities and produced events they deliberately organize. For the new event, they will bring together diverse stakeholders across IEEE to address the technical dimensions of climate change and develop relevant technologies. Event Design, Stakeholder Alignment, and Creativity Ruud and Fred discussed the complexities and advantages of event design. They agreed on the importance of embracing ambiguity to foster originality and creativity. They also reviewed a recent stakeholder alignment exercise, which aimed to identify key stakeholders and their expectations, pains, gains, and design goals. Fred shared his experience of being overwhelmed by the diverse perspectives but found the exercise energizing. Ruud highlighted the value of the team's collective brainpower and the plan to refine the narratives and validate them with actual stakeholders. Lastly, Fred shared his recent experience of attending a conference with a Nobel laureate, highlighting the differences in design and engagement compared to his usual events.

Trevor Lui (https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-lui-773aa69/?originalSubdomain=ca ) has made a life and career being surrounded by the sights and sounds of food and drink. Never mind that he comes from a long line of restauranteurs, more importantly, he believes that we are all connected through our dining experiences. In this conversation he looks back with Ruud Janssen on the state of affairs in Toronto and around the globe on his #HORIZONofCHANGE since the last episode recorded 10 Jun 2023. Check out the video he mentioned, Economic Impact of Visitors in Toronto, shows both the immediate effect of direct visitor spending and the continued impact of the visit as this new money continues to circulate throughout the city and regional economy.https://www.destinationtoronto.com/research/business-intelligence/visitor-economy-study/ He’s spent more than 25years producing thousands of event experiences as an executive for major entertainment venues, top-tier hotels & casinos for the likes of heads of states and Hollywood starlets. A diverse builder of innovative implementation, brand marketing, operations and ground-zero build outs, he likens a good, honest meal on a street corner than being too tied down to a corporate boardroom. He’s a lover of ‘the story’ and seeks motivation and inspiration with each bite and sip around him. Involved in several entrepreneurial ventures, Trevor is the Principal and CEO of the Highbell Hospitality Group; a collective that houses notable Toronto restaurants the likes of Baobird, Superfresh, Kanpai and Fat Bao. Highbell also produces highly immersive catered events with over a dozen unique venue partners throughout Toronto. Trevor is also the co-founder of the purpose-built agency Quell that represents BIPOC leaders in food, drink and lifestyle. He is past Global Vice Chair of Chapters for MPI Foundation , the largest event association in the world and is on the advisory board for hospitality programs at several prominent academic institutions. Trevor is currently the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Destination Toronto. In addition, Trevor is a frequent consultant, speaker & editorial contributor to industry publications and business forums. He provides promotional ambassadorship and enterprise coaching to numerous consumer brands. He can be found as a regular contributor on Cityline and is a publisher author of the award winning cookbook “Double Happiness.”

Kim Arazi ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-arazi-1665763/ ) and Ruud Janssen discussed the transformative power of meaningful conversations, emphasizing the role of serendipitous experiences in events to foster connections. They delved into the cultural importance of meat consumption, the rise of plant-based alternatives, and the significance of clear intentions in event design. They also shared insights from recent events, industry trends, and agreed on future collaborations. Summary Serendipitous Experiences for Sustainable Change Kim emphasized the importance of serendipitous experiences in events to foster meaningful connections, drawing from her background as a guest lecturer, innovation advisor, pitch coach, and founder of Sensori. She voiced concerns about technology's direction, advocating for using all senses to create sustainable change. Ruud expressed interest in exploring this topic further. Kim's Favorite Senses and Immersive Dining Experience Kim and Ruud discussed their favorite senses, with Kim favoring touch for its emotional resonance and smell for its memory link. Kim shared her Root Flower immersive dining experience, which used multi-sensory elements to promote plant-based eating and food waste reduction, leading to her involvement in the UN Climate Change Summit. Networking, Brain Connections, and TEDx Experiences The conversation touched on networking's parallels with brain connections, highlighting their encounter in Frankfurt and Ruud's TEDx insights. Kim shared her TEDx experience, focusing on the disconnect caused by technology and the need for sensory reconnection. She emphasized altering behavior through experiences and anticipated speaking at the UN conference on this topic. Exploring Meat Alternatives and Sensory Experiences Kim and Ruud discussed South America's meat consumption culture and plant-based alternatives. Kim recounted a wine tasting event illustrating sound's impact on taste, underscoring the importance of understanding sensory connections to avoid manipulation. They highlighted the potential of sensory elements in event design and the necessity of clear intentions to prevent participant confusion. Organizing Unique Events With Clear Intention They stressed the importance of clear intentions and participant buy-in when organizing events. Kim described a Valentine's dinner event where she had creative freedom, emphasizing her adaptability and anticipation skills. She noted that uncertainty is integral to being a creative entrepreneur. Kim's Art-Driven Storytelling Journey Kim shared her passion for using art in storytelling and immersive experiences, outlining her plans to attend the "Art for Tomorrow" conference and collaborate with galleries and museums. Ruud invited her to speak at a future event, and they discussed the art world's contributions to design and innovation. Audio's Role in Design and Communication They discussed audio's crucial role in design and communication, its ability to evoke imagination, and the importance of high-quality audio for engagement. They also noted that intentional use of silence can be powerful but must be managed to avoid awkwardness. Both agreed that poor audio quality can quickly disengage podcast listeners. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-arazi-1665763/ 'Your Brain on Art' - book by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross https://www.yourbrainonart.com/your-brain-on-art-book Her TEDx talk 'Are We Losing Our Common Sense(s)?' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqQY-1n0GOo innosensi https://www.innosensi.com/ innoseni IG - https://www.instagram.com/inno_sensi/ revillage (a new initiative I'm working on exploring an interdisciplinary approach to tackling global challenges) https://www.revillage.co/ Metaspeech - https://www.metaspeech.com/ Art for Tomorrow - https://www.artfortomorrow.org/ Wine Listening https://www.instagram.com/winelistening/

Kim Arazi ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-arazi-1665763/ ) and Ruud Janssen discussed the transformative power of meaningful conversations, emphasizing the role of serendipitous experiences in events to foster connections. They delved into the cultural importance of meat consumption, the rise of plant-based alternatives, and the significance of clear intentions in event design. They also shared insights from recent events, industry trends, and agreed on future collaborations. Summary Serendipitous Experiences for Sustainable Change Kim emphasized the importance of serendipitous experiences in events to foster meaningful connections, drawing from her background as a guest lecturer, innovation advisor, pitch coach, and founder of Sensori. She voiced concerns about technology's direction, advocating for using all senses to create sustainable change. Ruud expressed interest in exploring this topic further. Kim's Favorite Senses and Immersive Dining Experience Kim and Ruud discussed their favorite senses, with Kim favoring touch for its emotional resonance and smell for its memory link. Kim shared her Root Flower immersive dining experience, which used multi-sensory elements to promote plant-based eating and food waste reduction, leading to her involvement in the UN Climate Change Summit. Networking, Brain Connections, and TEDx Experiences The conversation touched on networking's parallels with brain connections, highlighting their encounter in Frankfurt and Ruud's TEDx insights. Kim shared her TEDx experience, focusing on the disconnect caused by technology and the need for sensory reconnection. She emphasized altering behavior through experiences and anticipated speaking at the UN conference on this topic. Exploring Meat Alternatives and Sensory Experiences Kim and Ruud discussed South America's meat consumption culture and plant-based alternatives. Kim recounted a wine tasting event illustrating sound's impact on taste, underscoring the importance of understanding sensory connections to avoid manipulation. They highlighted the potential of sensory elements in event design and the necessity of clear intentions to prevent participant confusion. Organizing Unique Events With Clear Intention They stressed the importance of clear intentions and participant buy-in when organizing events. Kim described a Valentine's dinner event where she had creative freedom, emphasizing her adaptability and anticipation skills. She noted that uncertainty is integral to being a creative entrepreneur. Kim's Art-Driven Storytelling Journey Kim shared her passion for using art in storytelling and immersive experiences, outlining her plans to attend the "Art for Tomorrow" conference and collaborate with galleries and museums. Ruud invited her to speak at a future event, and they discussed the art world's contributions to design and innovation. Audio's Role in Design and Communication They discussed audio's crucial role in design and communication, its ability to evoke imagination, and the importance of high-quality audio for engagement. They also noted that intentional use of silence can be powerful but must be managed to avoid awkwardness. Both agreed that poor audio quality can quickly disengage podcast listeners. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-arazi-1665763/ 'Your Brain on Art' - book by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross https://www.yourbrainonart.com/your-brain-on-art-book Her TEDx talk 'Are We Losing Our Common Sense(s)?' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqQY-1n0GOo innosensi https://www.innosensi.com/ innoseni IG - https://www.instagram.com/inno_sensi/ revillage (a new initiative I'm working on exploring an interdisciplinary approach to tackling global challenges) https://www.revillage.co/ Metaspeech - https://www.metaspeech.com/ Art for Tomorrow - https://www.artfortomorrow.org/ Wine Listening https://www.instagram.com/winelistening/

Suzanne Mulligan ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-medcalf-mulligan/) & Sophie Pink ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-pink-73747010b/ ) the rockstars behind the Social Media team at #IMEX #DESIGNtoCHANGE PODcast ONstage in conversation with Ruud Janssen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruudwjanssen/ ) immediately after #IMEX24 took place in Frankfurt Germany. Want to see the video version? check out https://vimeo.com/949191032?share=copy Here is the Haiku Suzanne and Sophie came up with in the break between ONstage and BACKstage: At IMEX we lead the way creating Impact, connections, and joy. And the version that Open AI came up with spontaneously based on IMEX's tagline -> IMEX connects all, Bridging hearts across the globe, Human bonds grow strong. And the Impact Interview that Carina Bauer & Mitt Watts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9nSaL6z-KA Calling all meetings and events professionals! IMEX exists to make your lives easier, more profitable and more connected. Our job is to show you the world in just four days. - IMEX runs two extraordinary business events (Frankfurt and Las Vegas) that combine business, networking, learning and FUN. We live (and love) to serve and champion the events, meetings and incentive travel industry all over the world.